Third Sunday of Advent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 15 December 2024
First Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-18a
The Lord is near!
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. (16)
“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you!” (14) We are blessed by Our Lord God and we are dealt mercifully by him. We praise and thank the Lord for his mercies. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12: 2-6
Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Alleluia!
Second Reading: Philippians 4: 4-7
Let Judah (praise) go up first!
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (7)
When we pray we are urged to pray with an expectant attitude. In ancient times, while facing an enemy the tribe of Judah would be positioned at the front. Judah in Hebrew translates to “praise” or “praised”. Therefore, let our praises be made known loud and clear before petitioning the Lord. We praise God in anticipation of the prayers being answered.
St. Paul reminds us of this powerful practice, that we must praise God continually in all circumstances first! Then we will receive the peace that comes from the Lord. We may even find means to resolve some of the issues, once we operate in the “Peace that surpasses all understanding!”
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Isaiah 61: 1
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to release to the prisoners. (1)
Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 3: 10-18
The Proclamation of John The Baptist!
John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with[e] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. (16-18)
If St. John the Baptist were here among us today, what would he say? Would he shudder at the hardness of our hearts, that even after knowing all that we know today; we fail to repent! He teaches those who were willing to listen: the tax collectors, the crowds, and the soldiers! He teaches them charity, integrity, and contentment!
Being charitable in our thoughts and words along with our resources can be our first steps. Functioning in integrity of intentions and being content with the blessings Our Lord has poured on us; is another step toward preparing our hearts for the Lord’s little crib to be enshrined there!
We ask this through the intercession of Mother Mary, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
